History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 109

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 574

USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 109

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

A. J. Hazelrigg was born in Linn county, Iowa, in 1843, which was his home until he was twenty-seven years old. He served in the army three years; enlisted July 4, 1862 in company A, Eighteenth Iowa infantry ; was mustered out in August, 1865. His regiment was on the frontier a great part of the time, in Missouri county, Kansas, and the Indian Territory, though it took part in some quite severe engagements. Mr. Hazel- rigg came to Buchanan county in 1871 ; bought an eighty acre farm in this township, and sold it in 1875, and im- mediately purchased the place on which he is at present. He has one hundred acres all improved. Mr. Hazelrigg was married in 1866 to Miss Helen E. Marshall, a native of Wayne county, Pennsylvania. She was born in 1842. They have four children living and one deceased. Their

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

names and ages at this writing are as follows : Sidney Marshall, thirteen; John, eleven; Frank, died October 26, 1874, in his second year; Mark C., five; Mary L., one year and six months. Mr. Hazelrigg is a sound Re- publican, and as a citizen stands well in the community.

Patrick Farrell was born in Clonmel, County Tipper- ary, Ireland, about the year 1832. He left there in 1853, and came to New York, where he lived until 1857, working at railroading principally. In 1857 he came to lowa, and remained about a year in Delaware county. In 1858 he settled at Winthrop, where he resided until 1865, taking contracts in work on the railroad. He built the first dwelling house in Winthrop, though two others were erected about the same time. In December, 1862, Mr. Farrell went to Missouri, and soon afterward enlisted in the Twenty-second lowa infantry, and served four months; he was then obliged to return home on account of sickness. In 1865 he moved to Middlefield town- ship, and engaged in farming. He bought the farm on which he is at present in 1867. He has one hundred and seventy acres, all improved. It was a wild lot when he made his purchase. Mr. Farrell's house, built by himself, is large and convenient. He has a good farm- ing business. He has a pretty place and is well situated to enjoy life. Mr. Farrell was married in 1857 to Miss Sarah MeMann. She was born in Urlingford, County Killkenny, Ireland, in 1836. They have had ten chil- dren, seven of whom are living. Following are their names and ages: Ellen M., twenty-two; Thomas, twenty- one; Katie A., nineteen; Robert W., sixteen ; Cornelius F., fourteen; Perry J., twelve; Henrietta J., died aged five; Michael, died aged three; Heber M., died when one year old; Sarah J., four. Mr. and Mrs. Farrell be- long to the Catholic church. They are well informed, intelligent people. Starting poor, they now enjoy a good home as the reward of their labors.

E. Touhey was born in County Clare, Ireland, in the year 1838. He came to America in May, 1847; landed in New York; soon afterwards went to Canada; then, after some travelling and moving, finally settled in Mid- dlefield township, in 1854, on the spot where he still re- sides. This makes Mr. Touhey one of the oldest set- tlers in this township. In 1854, he entered forty acres of Government land. Since that time he has made several additions, and some sales, besides giving eighty acres to his son. He now owns three hundred acres of excellent land, well supplied with water and wood. Wolves and deer were abundant at the time he came here, and were frequently seen in large droves. Mr. Touhey started poor, but now possesses a fine property, all acquired by his own work. He is now considered one of our wealthiest and most prosperous citizens. Mr. Touhey was married, in 1852, to Miss Mary Flannigan, who was born in County Clare, in 1838. They have twelve children, with names and ages as follows: John, aged twenty-four; Mary Ann, aged twenty-two; Law- rence, aged twenty-one; James, aged eighteen; Thomas, aged sixteen; Margaret, aged fourteen; Bridget, aged twelve; Jane, aged ten; Celia, aged eight; Edward, aged six; Agnes, aged four; William Francis, aged two. Mrs.

Touhey's mother, Mrs. Margaret Flannigan, is now liv- ing with her daughter. She is a native of Ireland, Coun- ty Clare, and is now over seventy years of age. The family are Catholics. Mr. and Mrs. Touhey have brought up a large and industrious family. Their oldest daughter has taught five terms of school and is at present teaching in her home district. The family have many friends. Mr. Touhey will build a new residence this season, large and convenient.

John Dobbins was born in county Louth, Ireland, in 1840. He left Ireland in 1859, and came to this State, settling in Dubuque, where he lived about eleven years, working on steamboats on the Mississippi river. In 1870 he came to Buchanan county, and settled in this town- ship. He has since sold his farm, and bought the one on which he now lives in April, 1875. He has recently bought eighty acres, making one hundred and sixty acres, all improved. He has a good and very pretty house, built in 1877; it is a very fine farm residence. Mr. Dobbins is an industrious and thrifty farmer; keeps a good stock of cattle, hogs, etc. He is engaged quite extensively in dairying-keeps seventeen cows and makes a large amount of butter. Mr. Dobbins was married, in 1867, to Miss Margaret Doyle, who was born in County Louth, Ireland, in 1845. They have six children living, one deceased: Sarah E., aged thirteen; Mary C., aged eleven; Thomas H., died when fourteen months old; John T., aged seven; Patrick M., aged five; James, aged two; Stephen F., aged four months. Mr. and Mrs. Dobbins belong to the Catholic church. They are well contented, prosperous, and happy. Like so many of their countrymen, they started with little, and have earned their property by constant labor. Mr. Dobbins works hard, and deserves his property.

P. M. Dunn, the oldest settler in Middlefield town- ship, and one of the first in the county, was born in King's county, Ireland, and brought up in County Derry. He came to New York State in September, 1836, and lived there two years, and then moved to Hartland, Mc- Henry county, Illinois, where he resided until 1850, when he came to this county and settled on the Buffalo in the southern part of Middlefield, where he still lives. At that date there was not a house in the township, and it was four years before any other families came. I .- dians were seen frequently, though they were not trouble- some. In 1850 Mr. Dunn's nearest neighbor was seven miles distant. Quasqueton contained three or four houses, and Newton township, one. Mr. Dunn was a jury man in the second term of court ever held at In- dependence. Court was held in an unfinished building without floors, the jury room being in another house. As may well be imagined, Mr. Dunn found life at that early date not all pleasant, but he always managed to keep his family well supplied. He entered a quarter- section of land at first, but afterwards became the owner of a whole section. He came here with twenty-one head of cattle, also a wagon and some other farming implements. He has built up a fine property to support him in his declining years. He owns a fine house, and the other buildings are good. He has sold a large

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, JOWA.

part of his farm, but still owns one hundred and ninety- five acres, besides two lots in Masonville. His land is especially valuable because of the large amount of timber upon it. There is an extensive natural grove surround- ing the house. His house is a pleasant one. Mr. Dunn and his wife toiled long and earnestly, and succeeded in making their work count for usefulness. They brought up five children, four daughters and one son : Mary Ann, the wife of John McIlvenna, resides in Dakota ; William John, married, resides in Newton township; Sarah, mar- ried ; George H. Johnson, lives on the old place; Cath- arine, died August 2, 1878, aged about twenty-six; Jane, the wife of Gustavus Linkley, Coffin's Grove, Delaware county. Mrs. Dunn died May 12, 1878, aged seventy- eight. Mr. Dunn is now in the eighty-first year of his age, and is quite smart for his years. He belongs to the Catholic church. He is an old-style Democrat, extremely liberal in his views, and believes in the motto, "Prin- ciples, and not party." Mr. Dunn has seen this county converted from a wilderness to its present prosperous condition. Few men have been here longer than he.

Jacob Nehls was born in the province of Pomerania, Prussia, March 8, 1830. He lived there until he came to America in 1852. He first stopped three months in Dayton county, Ohio, and then came to Dubuque county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for twelve years. In 1865 he moved to Middlefield township, Buchanan county, where he has since resided. He bought his farm the year of his coming, which was mostly unimproved. He built the house and barn himself. His residence is one of the finest in this vicinity. Mr. Nehls also has two hundred and forty acres of good land. His barn, thirty-four by thirty-eight feet, is one of the best in the township. Mr. Nehls is finely situated in a nice house, and is in a position to enjoy life fully. He was married in 1851, to Miss Emma Wilken. She was born in Prussia May 8, 1829. They have four children living, and two deceased : Robert, born 1852, married ; resides in this township ; Helen, born 1854, married Albert Sauer, resides in Newton township: Clara, born 1856; died in 1879; Charles, born 1857; Emma, 1860; Ludwig, 1866; died in 1873. Mr. Nehls and wife are agreeable people, and their social standing is most excellent. Mr. Nehls is a sound Republican and a most worthy man.

H. R. Smith was born in Elgin, Illinois, January 22, 1844. There he resided until twenty-one years of age. In the year 1866 he came to this county and resided at Winthrop three years. He then bought the farm on which he now lives in Middlefield. It contains two hundred and forty acres, all improved, and is now one of the best farms in the township, though it was wild prairie when purchased by Mr. Smith. He has a good farm and a good home, and farms quite largely. His house, built in 1875, is large and convenient, and he has also a substantial barn twenty-eight by eighty feet. Mr. Smith keeps seventy-five to one hundred head of cattle usually, has forty cows and does an extensive business in dairying. He has a creamery fitted up in first-class style. During the season of 1879 -- 80, Mr. Smith sold over one thousand dollars worth of butter, and expects to do even

better the present season. He is one of the most suc- cessful farmers in the township. Mr. Smith was married March 8, 1865, to Miss Mary Western, born in Savoy, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, May 4, 1837. They have four children-Jarvis, born March 9, 1866; Nathan W., November 7, 1868; Ray B., September 21, 1874; Grace, August 20, 1878. Mr. Smith is an earnest Re- publican. He is an active business man, and is one of our solid citizens.

Jesse Doyl was born near New London, Canada, July 30, 1814. When eight years of age his father, Henry Doyl, moved to Detroit, Michigan, where the subject of this sketch resided until 1825, when he moved to Ipsi- lanti, and remained until he was twenty-two years old. He next went to Branch county, Michigan, where he took unto himself a wife and worked at farming twenty- five years. From Michigan he went to Winnebago county, Illinois, and remained seven years. In 1868 he came to Buchanan county, and settled in Sumner town- ship; lived there seven years, then moved to the farm in Middlefield, where we now find him. Mr. Doyl has one hundred and eighty acres, mostly improved. His house and farm buildings are good. He keeps from thirty to fifty head of cattle, and does a good business, especially in dairying. He usually keeps about twenty cows, but during the year 1880 he milked only fifteen, and from them made and sold two thousand two hundred and ninety-eight pounds of butter. His cows brought him in exactly thirty-three dollars and thirty-three cents per head for the year. Mr. Doyl has adopted the wise plan of keeping an exact record of all receipts and expendi- tures, and thus knows at the end of each year just what branch of farming has paid and what has not. He was married February 25, 1838, to Miss Mary Ann Holcomb; she was born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1817. They have had six children, and five are living-Theo- dore, born February 27, 1839, died March 3, 1839; Elizabeth, born August 9, 1840, is the wife of Clinton Gould, Girard township, Branch county, Michigan; Esther, born April 20, 1842, married Joseph Russel, re- sides at North Platt, Nebraska; Polly Ann, born Au- gust 9, 1847, married James Prescott, lives in Black Hawk county, Iowa : Ellen, born June 15, 1851; Luella lcelona, born February 8, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Doyl adhere to the principles of the Free-Will Baptist church. Mr. Doyl is a Republican. His family are highly es- teemed by their neighbors and acquaintances.

Henry Gates was born in the province of Pomecrania, Prussia, in 1825, and resided there until 1869, working at cabinet-making. At the latter date he came to the United States, and settled in Cono township, this coun- ty, and engaged in farming. He bought eighty acres of wild prairie, improved it, and built a house upon it. In 1874 he sold it and bought another eighty acre farm in Middlefield, where he now resides. This farm was but little improved and had no buildings. Mr. Gates put up a house the year that he came, and has since been making improvements constantly. In 1880 he made a nice, convenient barn, and will soon add other farm buildings. Mr. Gates makes and uses his own tools,

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and does his own carpentry, thus saving quite an amount of expense which other farmers are obliged to meet. Mr. Gates was married in 1849 to Miss Louise Jahnke, who died April 12, 1877, aged fifty-five years. They had six children, three of whom are now living, viz: Minnie, aged twenty-four; William, twenty-two; and Julius, nineteen. He was again married in 1879 to Miss Elizabeth Alphus. She was born in Bellevue, Iowa, in 1861. They have one child, Henry, one year old. Mi. Gates belongs to the Presbyterian church. He is an earnest Republican and a most worthy citizen. He is an intelligent man, and keeps well informed upon eur- rent topics.

John V. Spees was born in Green county, New York, in 1820. He left there when four years old, and went with his parents to Allegany county, New York, where he was brought up. When about twenty-two years of age he moved to Michigan, where he resided two years and during that time was married. Then he moved to Fond du Lac county, Wisconsin, where he remained twelve years. From Wisconsin Mr. Spees came to this county in 1859, and settled in Liberty township, where he remained twelve years, and has since been in Middle- field. He has taken up and improved three wild farms since he came to this county, and certainly has had his share of that kind of work. He bought the place where he now lives in 1866. It consists of two hundred aeres, mostly improved. Mr. Spees farms quite largely- keeps about seventy head of eattle, also hogs, horses, etc. His stock is equal to any we have seen in the county. He usually keeps from ten to twenty horses; has at present nine-the best lot to be found anywhere in this vicinity. He has thirty eows, and makes a large amount of butter. Besides what he used for his stock, Mr. Spees sold about two thousand bushels of grain dur- ing the past season. During the two years just passed he has raised over sixteen thousand bushels of corn and oats. He works about three hundred and fifty acres, and is a most thrifty farmer. Mr. Spees was married March 30, 1848, to Miss Louisa R. Harwood, who was born in Ontario county, New York, in 1825. They have eight children living, four deceased: Achsa A., married Addison Spees, resides in Santa Anna, California; Alice, Lovina, the wife of Jacob Swartzell, Liberty township; Henrietta M., married W. D. Palmetier, lives at Geneva, Wisconsin; John H., married, resides in Marshall county, Minnesota; Willie E., Frank M., Edith F., James Mon- roe-the four last being at home. The second oldest of their sons, Fremont C., died April 4, 1879, aged twenty- three years. He was accidentally killed while working in a grain elevator in New Richmond, Wisconsin. He was caught in the gearing of the machinery and crushed in a frightful manner. He was a fine young man, be- loved and respected by all his acquaintances. Clarence G., their next son, died when five years old. The other children were two daughters, Marion and Jessie. The

former died when one year and a half old, and the latter when only a few days old. Mr. Spees is a Republican, and as a citizen his standing is most excellent. He has held several local offices.

Albert Merrill was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, February 17, 1848. His parents left Ohio when he was about one year old, and Mr. Merrill was brought up in Buchanan county. His father, John Merrill, still re- sides in Liberty township, where he first settled in the county. Mr. A. Merrill lived in Liberty township until 1878, when he moved upon his farm in this township. He has two hundred and forty acres of good land, all well improved. The land is situated in a pleasant part of the township, and is one of the best farms in the neighborhood. Mr. Merrill's house is pleasantly situated, with fruit and shade trees about it. He was married January 23, 1879, to Miss Fannie L. Kershner. She was born in Livingston county, New York, February 12, 1855. They have one child, Willis H., born November 21, 1879. Mrs. Merrill is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Merrill is one of our well informed, indus- trious farmers and best citizens. Though he was quite young when he came to this county, few have been here longer than he.

William A. Seott, one of the old settlers of our coun- ty, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1814. He lived in that State until 1855, then went to Ohio and remained three years, after the lapse of which he came to this county, in 1858, and settled in Liberty township. The first four years he rented a farm, then bought eighty acres of wild prairie, and afterwards bought and sold several pieces of land. Mr. Scott came here early, when settlers were few, and has seen the greater part of this county's growth. He has worked constantly for many years, and now in his old age is in possession of a comfortable home and a good property. Mr. Seott was married in 1837 to Miss Rachel Condit, a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. She died May 30, 1861, in the fifty-second year of her age. She bore him four children, one of whom is now living. Their names are as follows: Ira C., born June 9, 1838, died while in the service, on the anniversary of the day he enlisted, Octo- ber 27, 1865, having served exactly four years; Mary, born April 26, 1840, married Jesse G. Merrill, who died in March, 1868, and is now the wife of Deacon E. P. Brintnall, of Winthrop; Alfred M., born January 4, 1842, died April 13, 1878; Elizabeth, born November 29, 1844, died in February, 1847. Mr. Scott was mar- ried a second time, in January, 1862, to Miss Margaret Oliver. She was born in County Derry, Ireland, in March, 1817. Mr. and Mrs. Scott belong to the Win- throp Congregational church. Mr. Scott is an Indepen- dent in politics. For a man of his years he is remarka- bly active. He is well known in the county, and has many friends.

JEFFERSON.

Jefferson township is located in the southwestern part of Buchanan county, On the south and southwest it touches upon the Cedar river, which is one of the most beautiful streams in the State. The township in its sur- face is somewhat diversified, along the creeks being hilly, but elsewhere consisting of rolling prairie, fertile and productive. The underlying rock is limestone, there being some limestone quarries in the township. The soil is a lightish loam.

NATIVE FOREST TREES AND GAME.

There is considerable timber along the creeks, being for the most part in the southwest, and also in the north and west portions. The timber is not of the most valu- able kind, except for fuel, consisting of oak, elm, bass- wood, aspen, hickory, butternut, walnut, and a few soft maples.

When the early settlers came, they found large num- bers of deer and wild turkeys, and occasionally a bear and some smaller game. The turkeys were very numer- ous, and were found in flocks of as many as a hundred. They were hunted by the then few inhabitants and fur- nished them most delicious food. Nearly all the pio- neers became hunters, and learned expertly to use the rifle. Many are the incidents that these early pioneers relate of their hunting exploits. It may not be uninter- esting to the reader to give one or two, which truly illus- trate the German character-for the early settlers were of the Teutonic race.

In the winter of 1851-2, Peter and Henry Albert, father and son, went into the timber to shoot turkeys. A fine flock came along. Henry, the son, fired and brought down a large one that weighed twenty-two pounds. The turkeys for a moment gathered about their fallen companion, then fled. Henry, turning to his father, inquired why he did not shoot when they were all together, "Why, I wanted you to get yours sure, first," was the astute reply.

At another time, Peter went out chopping wood, tak- ing with him his trusty gun, which was the constant companion of the pioneer. A fine turkey came along. He rushed after it with his axe, unmindful, in his anxie- ty to catch the turkey, of the gun that was still standing by the tree; but the turkey was too fleet for our hero, and he returned to his work disappointed.

The hunting of deer was a source of amusement as well as profit. The principal hunters were Jack Rouse and Abel Cox, his son-in-law. These Nimrods would sometimes kill as many as a dozen in a day. On one occasion Rouse shot a couple of bucks whose heads were firmly fastened together by their horns, and when

dead could not be taken apart. They were sent to the county seat, Independence, and there kept as a curios- ity. From thence they were taken to New York.

Philip Zinn, an early settler, having an aspiration to become a deer-hunter, shouldered a musket and started for the timber ; and soon he saw nestling in the bushes a fine deer sleeping. Zinn, thinking that he might be dead, and not desiring to waste his ammunition on a dead deer, made a noise by breaking some of the brush, when up started the deer and bounded away into the for- est, leaving our friend looking on in amazement. He then went home, hung up his musket, and thus ended his deer hunting.

Wolves were then, as now, quite plenty; for, although a bounty has been offered, it does not seem to diminish the number of these pests, and the farmers are much troubled in raising sheep on account of wolves. Jack Rouse, on one of his hunting expeditions, dug from their burrows four young wolves, and made a present of them to his grandchildren, the sons of William Rouse, by whom they were raised and domesticated. But their fondness for chickens and sheep, and their dislike for cats, rendered it impossible to keep them at a farm- house, so they disposed of them. The chickens and sheep they would kill and eat, and the cats they would kill and then leave them.

A large black bear was killed here, near John Bow- der's, in the fall of 1859, by Joel Allen, who, with Wel- lington Town and E. S. Wilson, was passing along the road on his way to assist a neighbor in threshing, when they espied the bear. Town kept watch of bruin, while Allen went to one of the neighbors' for a gun. After the bear had been killed and skinned, the meat was di- vided around among the settlers, each family getting a slice. One of its paws measured five and a half inches across the bottom. The old settlers remember well their receipt of a piece of this bear. Concerning his captors, we can only say that Allen has gone to the bet- ter land, Town is yet living, and of Wilson we could learn nothing.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first actual settlers were J. B. Stainbrook and his family, consisting of his wife and one child, June 13, 1850. He was a native of Pennsylvania, having been born there September 29, 1823. He built a log cabin on land, which he afterwards purchased of the Govern- ment, and now owns. The log house is still standing and is the veritable one in which most of his children, and one of his grandchildren, first saw the light of day. His brother-in-law, Henry Albert, also came with

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him and afterwards settled near him, in Benton county.

He comes from the German race, partaking of their tenacity and thrift. He has passed through discourage- ments and adversities, but has stood firmly, and now is reaping the reward of his well spent early days. Mr. Stainbrook is the father of seven children: Katie Stain- brook, now Mrs. Colt; Martha Jane, married to S. E. Masters, who has five children and lives in Brandon ; Andrew Jackson, who is married to Ida Town, daughter of an old settler, and has one child; Peter, married to Mary Usur; Mary, married to W. H. Pearson; J. B. Stainbrook, jr., and Jacob Alfred, who are young, un- married men, residing with their father. Some fourteen years ago his wife died, and since then he and his two sons have lived at the family homestead. He has the honor of raising the first wheat in the township, in the summer of 1852. He used, to put in the wheat, a wooden drag made by his own hand, and cut it with a cradle, borrowed from a settlement some twenty miles away. The crop is spoken of as being a very good one.

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History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 109

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers Number of Pages: 574

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 574